Ashtray

ABSTRACT

An ashtray is formed of at least two concentric surfaces where the inner surface is higher than the outer surface to direct the cigar or cigarette upwardly towards the center of the ashtray. The inner concentric surface is thin to minimize contact with the cigar or cigarette. Depressions having an upward slope towards the center of the ashtray are formed on the outer concentric surface to also direct the lit end of the cigar or cigarette upward towards the center of the astray. Protrusions are formed on the inner concentric surface to keep the cigar or cigarette from rolling on the support. Ash receiving chambers are formed interiorly of the inner surface and between the inner and outer surfaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is an improved ashtray construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] Shell, DES U.S. Pat. No. 57,276 shows an ashtray with a central pillar having a plurality of cylindrical supports.

[0004] Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 1,813,467 shows an ashtray with cigarette supports having walls which are dimensionally matched to the cigarette to extinguish it. The supports extend downwardly towards a central open ash collection portion of the ashtray.

[0005] Trellis, DES U.S. Pat. No. 155,048 shows an ashtray with downwardly extending cigarette support.

[0006] Frank, DES U.S. Pat. No. 155,083 discloses an ashtray with two concentric depressions separated by identically configured surfaces having upwardly sloped cigarette supports.

[0007] Kinder, U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,753, discloses an ashtray with pincers 14 to compress and hold a cigarette to extinguish same in the manner of Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 1,813,467.

[0008] Grub, DES U.S. Pat. No. 280,555 shows an ashtray with two concentric support surfaces of different configuration to support a cigarette downwardly towards the central ash collection portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] This invention relates to an ashtray that orients the burning end of cigarettes or cigars in an upward orientation when the cigarettes or cigars are at rest in the ashtray. The invention contains upward sloping thin walled concentric geometric structures that cigarettes or cigars may rest on. These structures allow cigarettes and cigars to burn slower and minimize the development of cold spots that may contribute to uneven burning and/or extinguishing thereof.

[0010] A principal object of the invention is to provide an ashtray, which aids cigarettes or cigars to reduce idle burning by drawing heat away from the cigarette or cigar. This is due to upward orientation of the cigarette or cigar, as opposed to a downward orientation that directs heat up and toward the cigarette or cigar.

[0011] A further object is the provision of an ashtray having thin walled concentric geometric structures that provide minimal surface contact with cigarettes or cigars, thus allowing cigarettes or cigars to burn more evenly, minimizing the chance of a “stall point” or cold spot developing, where cigarettes or cigars come in contact with the ashtray.

[0012] Another object of the invention is the provision of an ashtray having concentric geometric structures to nearly eliminate the possibility of a cigarette or cigar butt from rolling or falling into the ashtray and coming in contact with previously discarded ashes. This sometimes happens with other type of ashtray designs where cigarettes or cigars are pointed downward and rest on only a single outer wall or rim of the ashtray.

[0013] The invention allows ashes to be collected between concentric geometric structures and for retired cigarette or cigar butts to be placed within the center concentric geometric structure. The bottoms of the channels created by parallel concentric geometric structures are rounded allowing for easy cleaning.

[0014] The foregoing, as well as further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description of my invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my invention; and

[0016]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ashtray taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circular shaped ashtray embodiment of my invention. The ashtray has its largest diameter base portion 1 for supporting the ashtray on a surface. A smaller diameter surface 2 is formed above portion 1. A still smaller diameter surface 3 is formed above portion 2. The surface 3 has depressions 3-7 formed therein for supporting a portion of a cigar or cigarette therein. Three inner walls 8, 9 and 10 are formed within the surface 3. These inner walls define ash-receiving sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 between adjacent walls. A plurality of pairs of raised protrusions two of which are numbered 15 and 16, are formed on inner walls 8 and 9. Each pair of raised protrusions are collinear with respective depressions 3-7. The pairs of protrusions limit the end of a cigar or cigarette from rolling along the ashtray.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ashtray of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, depression 6 is sloped upwardly from the exterior of the ashtray towards its center. Each of the other depressions 3-5 and 7, shown in FIG. 1, are similarly sloped upwardly towards the center. Each of respective walls 8, 9, and 10 increase in length with respect to surface 3 and with respect to each other. This structure serves to support a cigar or cigarette in a position where the burning end is higher than the unlit end. This reduces idle burning by drawing heat away from the cigar or cigarette.

[0019] The walls 8, 9 and 10 are thin to provide minimal surface contact with the cigar or cigarette. This minimizes the occurrences of stall points or cold spots developing at the points where the cigar or cigarette comes into contact with the ashtray.

[0020] While the invention has been disclosed in the shape of concentric circles, it is to be understood that the invention may be formed in other geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, etc.

[0021] Further modifications to the apparatus of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; accordingly, what is sought to be protected is set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An ashtray comprising at least two adjacent concentric geometric surfaces for supporting a smoking article thereon; at least one depression formed in one of said concentric surfaces; a pair of protrusions formed on the other of said adjacent concentric surfaces for inhibiting movement of a smoking article there between, said pair of protrusions forming a space co-linear with said depression; said depression having a slope which extends upwardly towards the other of said adjacent concentric surfaces; and the height of said depression being less than the height of said space to support said smoking article to draw heat away from the body of said smoking article.
 2. An ashtray comprising at least two adjacent concentric geometric surfaces for supporting a smoking article thereon, an outer concentric surface and an inner concentric surface, at least one depression formed in said outer concentric surfaces; a pair of protrusions formed on said inner concentric surface adjacent said depression for limiting movement of a smoking article on said surfaces; said depression having a slope which extends upwardly towards said inner concentric surface; a portion of said inner concentric surface between said protrusions being higher than said depression whereby said smoking article is supported to draw heat away from the body of said smoking article.
 3. The ashtray of claim 2 wherein the smoking article supporting portion of said inner concentric surface is substantially thinner than said depression.
 4. An ashtray comprising means to support a smoking article thereon so that the burning end of the smoking article is higher than the unlit end thereof; said support means including at least one support in proximity to said burning end having a thickness which minimizes the area of contact between said support and said smoking article, and protrusion means formed on said support for limiting lateral movement of said smoking article on said support.
 5. The ashtray of claim 4 wherein said support means includes a further support concentric with said support.
 6. The ashtray of claim 5 wherein said further support includes depression means formed therein for cradling a smoking article therein.
 7. The ashtray of claim 6 wherein said depression means is sloped upwardly towards said support and said area of contact is higher than said depression means.
 8. The ashtray of claim 7 wherein an ash collection chamber is formed between said supports.
 9. The ashtray of claim 8 wherein a further ash collection chamber is formed by said support. 